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Why did Aaron’s death seem to hit so close to home?
By Rabbi Ari Enkin, Rabbinic Director, United with Israel
This week’s Torah portion (in Israel) is “Chukat” (Numbers 19:1-22:1) which notes sad death the disheartening deaths of Aaron and Miriam, the siblings of Moses.
Regarding the death of Aaron the Torah states: “The entire congregation saw that Aaron had died and they wept for thirty days, the entire House of Israel” (Numbers 20:29).
The commentators note that “the entire congregation” mourned the death of Aaron. This is in glaring contrast to the death of Moses where we read that “the children (explained to mean “men”) wept for Moses.” (Deuteronomy 34:8).
Why is it that with the death of Aaron, the entire nation mourned, but with the death Moses, only the men mourned? What’s going on over here?
It is explained that Aaron was more beloved than Moses because he would pursue peace between those in a fight, and especially between husband and wife. He saves countless marriages and friendships. The entire nation appreciated him.
Moses, on the other hand, was great, of course. And it was in the merit of Moses that the Jewish people received the miraculous manna bread which sustained them for their forty years of wandering in the desert. But Moses was the judge, the lawgiver, the sheriff. It is a very different image and relationship that that of a peace maker.
Hence, the loss of Aaron was “closer to home” (literally!) than that of Moses. Aaron brought peace to the home. His contribution to the nation was more personal, Moses’ was more professional.
A good marriage requires the efforts of both husband and wife to succeed. Aaron excelled in that. He taught it. He lived it. Even though Aaron was the High Priest, the top of the Totem pole, he did not hesitate to sit in the living room or kitchen of simple Jews to try to help them resolve their differences and to help their marriage.
Aaron teaches us that no one should ever place themselves in an “ivory tower.” Even one who has “made it” and is at the top of the tHeopotem pole should not forget about others less fortunate or others dealing with challenges. Aaron didn’t send a messenger – he went himself. There was no ego.
This is what serving God is all about – always moving forward and building relationships but never forgetting those behind simple because we are in a better place. This was Aaron. And for this, he made a difference in the world and was mourned by all.
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